Mansfield man lands in court over theft of food worth 61p

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A thief who stole food items worth a total of 61p from a supermarket has been hauled before the courts.

Adam Paul Johnson (29), of Chesterfield Road South, Mansfield, was caught stealing an ASDA Smart Price pasty and Smart Price cheesecake from the store in Sutton in November last year.

He appeared at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court on Friday where he admitted the charge.

He also had another charge added in which he stole £20 diet pills from Boots earlier this month, to which he also pleaded guilty.

Appearing in soiled clothing and with a food takeaway carton shoved in his jumper, the court was told how Johnson was known to staff in ASDA and they had watched him put the pasty and cheesecake in his pocket before trying to leave the shop without paying.

Defending, Mary Dixon, described her client as a ‘very vulnerable young man’ who did not have a drink or drugs problem. She said he had been persuaded to go into Boots in Mansfield by a friend and take the pills.